Supporting and clamping mechanism for drilling-machines



W. T. SEARS.

SUPPORTING AND CLAMPING MECHANISM FOR DRILLING MACHINES.

il 76,169. I

APPLICATION FILED APR-221 NIB-RENEWED NOV. 9. I920.-

Patented Apr. 26, 1921.

2 SHEETS SHI-IET I.

. J. TM!- W. T. SEARS.

SUPPORTING AND CkAMPlNG MECHANISM FOR DRILLING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 22, I918- RENEWED NOV. 9,1920. 1,376, 169, PatentedApr. 26, 1921.,

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2,

WILLARD T. SEARS, F MONTCLAIR, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR T0 NILES-BEMENT- POND COMPANY, OF NEVT YUPvK, N. Y., A GOEPORATION 03' NEW JERSEY.

SUPPORTING AND GLAIJIPING l/IECHANISM FQR DRILLING-MACHINES.

Application filed April 22, 1918, Serial No. 229,993. Renewed November. 9, 1920. Serial 2"0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLARD I. SEARS a citizen of the United States, residing at Montclair, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Supporting and Clamping Mechanisms for Drilling -Machines, of which the following is a specification.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide an improved mechanism of the gen.- eral type set forth in my patent for radial drills, No. 1,089,442 dated March 10th, 1914. In accordance with the present invention, I provide improved devices, preferably located at the center of the drill column, whereby the column is supported soas to be freely rotatable and whereby it may be clamped so that it is firmly held against rotation and rigidly supported to resist the reaction of drilling. Other objects will be apparent from the following specification and claims.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown the embodiment of the invention which is now deemed preferable, but it will be understood that modifications and sub stitutions of equivalents can be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Of the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a drill ingmachine embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view through the base, the column being turned at right angles to the position shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line 3--3 of Fig. 2. I

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken along the lines 55 of Figs. 2 and 4:. I v

Referring to the drawings, 1 and 2 repre sent the base of the drilling machine. Mounted upon the base for movement about a vertical axis is a column 3. Preferably, as indicated in Fig. 2, this column is divided or formed in two parts 3", 3 as shown in my Patent 1,071,590 dated August 26th, 1913. Supported on the column and preferably vertically movable with respect thereto is a horizontal arm 4 along which is slidalole a saddle 5 carrying ahead provided with a Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. as,

rotatable spindle 6. Preferably the arm 1 or a carrying member therefor extends 3, 3 thereof and directly supports a gear casing 7 and an electric motor 8. From the motor Spower is transmitted through gearing in the casing 'i' to the main power shaft 9 extending longitudinally of the arm and thence to the spindle 6. .The mechanisms thus far described do not of themselves constitute any part of the present invention and they can be considerably modified as required.

The column 3 preferably is provided with an extension 10 which projects downward into the base parts 2 and 1. ,This extension engaged by two bearings which serve to hold the column in axially fixed position and which at the same time permit turning movement. At 11 there is a roller bearing interposed between the extension 10 and the upper part of the base section 2. At 12 there is a bearing interposed between the lower end of the extension 10 and a cupped plate 13 secured to the lower base section 1.

. For carrying the weight of the column and of the associated parts during turning movement, there is provided a bearing preferably in the form of an anti-friction support, and preferably locatedat the axis of the column. As illustrated this support is in the form of a ball thrust bearing 14. The

lower race of this bearing rests upon the before mentioned plate 3and the upper race of the bearing engages a flange at the lower end of a vertical shaft 15. This shaft fits central apertures in the extension 10 and is relatively slidable therein, being con nected with the extension and with the column by special mechanism to be now described.

Interposed between the top of the shaft 15 and the column is a spring mechanism which serves to carry the column and associated partswhen they are rotated. As illus- 'tIZttGILfLQdIIlQI' member 16 is fitted to the upper end of the shaft 15. Projecting from the member 16 at opposite sidesthereof are brackets 17, 17, the top surfaces'of these brackets being transversely curved, as indicated. Preferably, as shown in Fig. 5,the brackets extend into notches 18, 18 in the "through the column between the two parts extension 10, the member 16 being thus prevented from turning relatively to the extenslon. Resting on the brackets 17, 1,7 are springs 19, 19 each preferably consisting of several parallel leaves. The springslfi), 19 extend into slots or notches 20, 20 in the extension 10 of the column 3.

Means is provided for effecting relative adjustment'to regulate the spring pressure.

As illustrated, the carrier member 16 is provided with acentral threaded aperture in ment is continued until the carrier member l6,'acting through the springs 19, serves to lift the column 3 and the parts carried thereby entirely clear of the base 2. Then the screw 21. is clamped in a-djustedposition by means of a lock nut 24. In this way the surfaces 22 and 23 are separated and the entire weight of the column and associated parts is supported on the shaft 15 and thus on the ball thrust bearing 14. In the drawings, the distance between the surfaces 22 and 23 is considerably exaggerated, and it is to be understood that. in practice this di tance may be only a few thousandths of an inch.

The positions and relative weights of the motor and of the arm together with the saddle and drill head arersuch that under ordinary conditions the resultant center of gravity is approximately at the center of the column and therefore vertically above the ball bearing 14. -l 'Vitl1 the surfaces 22 and 2-3 out of engagement and with the weight of the parts substantially balanced H on the bearing 14, is is possible to swing the column and the arm very easily.

After the arm hasocen swung to the de sired position the column is clamped by the mechanism to be now described. in the cm bodiment of the invention as shown, the clamping mechanism applies pressure to the column downward in opposition to the spring mechanism, thus forcing the surface 22 into engagement with the surface 23.

Carried by the eXtenSionlO near the bottom thereof. is a ring 25 having a downward and outward inclined upper surface. Preferably the ring is provided with spaced notches 26, 26. and the. extension 10 is provided with similarly spacedj lugs 27, 27; In assembling, the notches 26 of the ring arebrought into .alinement with the lugs 27, 27 of the pro jection. thus permitting the ring to be moved upward to the level shown. Then the ring is turned so that the parts thereof between the notches will rest uponfthe'lugs. For holding the ring in this position there is the surface interposed between the ring 25 and the flange 29 is a split ring 30 having bottom and top surfaces adapted respectively to ene the topsurface of the ring 25 and the bottom surface of the flange 29. Preferabl V as shown, the top surface of the ring 25 is cut away at opposite quadrants so that there will be-contactrbetween the ring 25 and the ring 30 only at the remaining quadrants 32 and 33. A lug 34 on the base section 2 pro jects into a notch in the ring 30 to prevent the ring from turning. The ring 30 carries two apertured ears 35 and 36 through which extends athreaded rod 37. A. pin 38 projecting through a slot in one of the ears prevents the rod 37 from turning. At one end thejrod 37 is engaged by lock nuts and wash ers 39 and at the other end it is engaged by a threaded sleeve 40, this sleeve being pro- 7 vided with a'lever or handle il.

'VVhen the, surfaces 22 and 23 are separated, as shown in Fig. 2, the lever 41 is in a vertical position, as indicated in rig. 3.

When the l ver is moved in the counterclockwise directionto the position shown in Fig. 1, the two cars 35 and 36 are drawn together, thus contracting the ring 30 and forcing it into the wedge-shaped space between the ring 25 and the flange 29. This wedging action forces the ring 25 down ward, the ring carrying with it the extension 10 and the column 3 together with all the parts associated therewith. This downward movement flexes the springs 19, i9 and brings the surface 22 into firm contact with the surface 23. In this way the .arm

and the column are clamped against angular.

movement, the clamping being efiected not only by the engagement of the ring 30 with the ring25 and with the flange 29, but also by the igement of the surface 22 with Vfhen the parts are thus clamped the column 3 is very firmly supported so as to resistthe reaction on the spindle during the drilling operation.

What I claim is:

1. Ina drilling'machine. having a base, a column rotatably supported on the base and drilling meclmnism'carried by the'column the combination of a column-support at the axis of the column, and vertically acting clamping means adapted to effect a direct engagement between the column and the base supplemental to the said support, the column being chiefly carrieddirectly by the base :whenthe said clamping means is engaged and being carried entirely on the support when the said clamping means isdisengaged.

2. In a drillingmachine having a bane, a column rotatably supported on the base and drilling mechanism carried by the column, the combination of a column-support, vertically acting clamping means adapted to effect a direct downward engagement of the column with the base, and spring mechanism acting directly on the column vertically upward in opposition to the clamping means, the column being chiefly carried directly by the base when the said clamping means is engaged and being carried entirely on the support by means of the spring when the said clamping means is disengaged.

S. In a drilling machine having a base, a column rotatably supported on the base and drilling mechanism carried by the column,

the combination of a column-support, means for applying a downward pressure to the column to effect a direct clamping engagement between the column and the base, spring mechanism interposed between the support and the column and acting directly on the column upward in opposition to'the clamping means, and means forefiecting relative adjustment to regulate the spring action so that the column is carried entirely on the support when the clamping means is released.

a. In a drilling machine having a base, a column'rotatably supported on the base and drilling mechanism carried by the column, the combination of an anti-friction columnsupport at the axis of the column, and vertically acting clamping means adapted to effect a direct engagement between the column and the base supplemental to the said support, the column being chiefly carried directly by the base when the said clamping means is engaged and being carried entirely on the support when the said clamping means is disengaged.

5., In a drilling machine having a base, a column rotatably supported on the base and drilling mechanism carried by the column, the combination of an anti-friction column-support, vertically acting clamping means adapted to effect a direct downward engagement of the column with the base, and spring mechanism acting directly on the column vertically upward in opposition to the clamping means, i the column being chiefly carried directly by the base when the said clamping means is engaged and being carried entirely on the support by means of the spring when the said clamping means is disengaged.

6. In a drilling machine having a base, a column rotatably supported on the base and drilling mechanism carried by the column, the combination of an anti-friction column-support at the axis of the column, vertically acting clamping means adapted to effect a direct downward engagement of the column with the base, and spring mechanism act-in directly on the column vertically upward in opposition to the clamping means, the column belng chiefly carrled d1- rectly by the base when the said clamping ing directly on the columnupward in opposition to the clamping means, and means for effecting relative adjustment to regulate the spring action so that the column is carried entirely on the support when the clamping means is released.

8. In a drilling machine having a base, a column rotatably supported on the base and drilling mechanism carried by the column, the combination of an anti-friction column support, means for applying a downward pressure to the column to. effect a .direct clamping engagement between the column and the base,spring mechanism interposed between the support and the column and acting directly on the columnupward in opposition to the clamping means, and adjusting means between the support and the spring mechanism to regulate the spring action so that the column is carried entirely on the support when the clamping means is released.

9. in a drilling machine having a base, a column rotatably supported on the base and drilling mechanism carried by the column, the combination of a vertical shaft at the center of the column, an anti-friction hearing at the bottom of the shaft, means for applying a downward pressure to the column to effect a clamping engagement between the column and the base, and spring mechanism interposedbetween the top of the shaft and the column and acting upward in opposition to the clamping means, the column being carried entirely on the shaft by means of the spring mechanism when the clamping means is released.

10. In a drilling machine having a base, a column rotatably supported on the base and drilling mechanism carried by the column, the combination of a vertical shaft at the center of the column, an anti-friction hearing at the bottom of the shaft, means for applying a downward pressure to the column to effect a clamping engagement between the column and the base, spring mechanism interposed between the top of the shaft and the column and acting upward in opposition to the clamping means, and

means for moving the springmechanism upward or downward with respect to'the shaft so thatthe column is carried entirely on the shaft by means of the springmechanism when the clamping means is released.

11. In a drilling machine having a base, a column rotatably supported on the base and drilling'mechanism carried by the col umn, the combination of a vertical shaft at the center of the column, an anti-friction hearing at the bottom of the shaft, means for applying a downward pressure to the column to effect a clamping engagement between the column and the base, a carrier member at the top of the shaft, and horizontal springs engaging the carrier member at their centers and the column at their ends the springs acting-upward in opposition to the clamping means and serving to entirely support the column when the clamping means is released. 1 v

' 12, In a drilling machine having base, a column rotatably supported on the base and drilling mechanism carried by the column, the combination of a vertical shaft at the center of the column, an anti-friction bearing at the bottom of the shaft, means for applying a downward pressure to the'col-' umn to effect a clamping engagement between the column and the base, a carrier member at the top of the shaft, horizontal springs engaging the carrier member at their centers and the column at their ends, the springs acting upward in opposition to the clamping means and serving to entirely support the column when the clamping means is released, and a screw threaded into the carrier member and engaging the top of the shaft for adjusting the carrier member upward or downward.

1 3. In a drilling machine the combination of a base, a columnrotatably supported on the base, drilling mechanism carried by the column, spaced integral lugs formed on the column, a ing surrounding the column and having similarly spaced notches in its inner edge whereby the ring may be moved past the lugs and then turned to be supported thereby, a flangeon the base adjacent the ring, a split ring engaging the first said ring and the flange, and means for contracting the split ring to effect clamping.

In testimony whereof, I hereto aflix my signature.

WILLARD rqsnAns. 

